The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VA) is partnering with Downtown Rogers Art on the Bricks Art Walk in November to feature the art of U.S. Military Veterans. The Rogers Experimental House, located at 121 W Walnut Street, will showcase the creative works of veterans and other artists during the 2nd Thursday art walk from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 10. Live music, art and crafts will be on exhibit to commemorate the service and talent of military veterans along with a reception, sponsored by Kirk Pearson, US Air Force Veteran and owner of, LaborMax Staffing. Related items of interest include: Civil War art and artifacts, military uniforms from past decades Downtown Rogers businesses will also host pop-up galleries with art by a variety of artists.
Art Can Help Veterans with Mental Health Conditions: Art therapy helps Veterans in a variety of ways. For returning military with mental health conditions, art therapy provides emotional relief by encouraging expression of feelings and concerns. Art making is observed to relieve depression and anxiety as well as to improve reality orientation. A Northwest Arkansas Veteran who is participating in the Art Walk will be sharing the relationship with art to better cope with his mental health issues.
Music serves as a form of therapy and means of connecting with others: Also participating in the art walk are military veteran musicians. Soldiers Songs and Voices Northwest Arkansas is a nonprofit organization that provides free instruments and songwriting lessons to veterans as a form of post-conflict care. They are performing vocals and a variety of instruments from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Rogers Experimental House. This non-profit organization provides free guitar and songwriting lessons to veterans as a form of post-conflict care. This assembly of musical veterans is dedicated to the well-being of returning veterans. The mission of this non-profit organization, based in Fayetteville and serving all Northwest Arkansas, is to foster a creative and supportive community of veterans through music instruction, performance, and community outreach. Volunteer veteran musicians donate their time to share their expertise. The NWA Chapter is one of 11 chapters of a national organization. Other chapters are located in Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee and Massachusetts. There is also a chapter based in Eureka Springs.
Downtown Rogers Business Pays Final Tribute to Military Servicemen and Women: The owner of White’s & Company Jewelry is retiring and closing the store in the next few weeks. In addition to jewelry, this locally owned store has a vast collection of military uniforms and memorabilia with some items dating back as far as the Civil War. The collection began with items from owner Rick White’s family, then continued to grow as customers began offering items from their collections inherited from family members. The White’s Jewelry team is loaning several military uniforms for display at the Rogers Experimental House the evening of the Art Walk. The complete collection is available during business hours at the store located at 115 W Walnut St. in Rogers,
Civil War Highlights During Art on the Bricks: Elements of the Civil War are included in the Art Walk. Bella Vista artist and civil war enthusiast, Daniel Hoffbauer is exhibiting five paintings from the Battles of Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove at 121 W Walnut St.
The Rogers Historical Museum is offering extended Art Walk hours while featuring products from the Civil War from 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on November 10. The exhibit includes soldier quilts provided by NW Arkansas quilt expert Linda Pumphrey’s private collection, as well as two World War II commemorative quilts from the museum collections that were made by Benton County Home Demonstration Clubs. Also on display at 313 S 2nd Street in the Trammel Gallery is “Civil War in Benton County: Untold Stories.” This is an opportunity Learn about some of the true stories of bushwhacker attacks, food shortages and other daily life and death challenges for Benton County civilians in a war-torn land on the edge of the American frontier. This exhibit shares personal accounts from letters, local family histories and other documents detailing experiences of daily life during the Civil War period.
